Karen started figure skating at the age of 9. She has won numerous State and Regional Championships as well as winning many National titles and placing several times at the National Championships.

Karen is a two time World Team member placing 6th in Spain and 4th in Australia. Karen has had many National Champions and medalists over the past several years in various disciplines of Artistic Figure Skating, and is proud to have had 3 skaters represent the US on the World Team.

Dawn Darling, Sarasota Skating Academy Coach

Dawn coaches clients of all ages in private lessons, group classes and skating workshops.

She is very well versed in teaching skating basics for non-competitive skaters and cultivating elite skaters.

Dawn has had several skaters participating and winning at the National and World Championships.

Dawn's international coaching started in 2007. She is looking forward to her students representing the USA in 2014 in Reus, Spain.

Gary Easmunt, "The Shining Stars" Skating Director

Gary Easmunt started skating at the age of 6. He began competing at the age of 8. During his competitive career, he received numerous State,Regional, and National titles and became an International Gold Medalist. Gary turned professional at the age of 19 (the youngest in the State of New Jersey), and began coaching and consulting skaters of all ages (from 2-82). He has literally taught thousands of people to skate, whether just as a social activity, or to compete on an international level. Aside from the numerous champions he has produced, he considers his most proudest moment to be when one of his skaters received the United States Presidential Caring Award by Congress in Washington, D.C. She cited him as the single most positive influence in her life ...(aside from her parents).

In Gary's words...Roller Skating is a great lifetime activity. It is a sport that you never forget how to do. Some people come back after 50 years, bring their children and grandchildren and introduce them to their "skating" family...So lace em up and get rolling!!